Australia set to employ real-world emissions testing

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) will fund research into analysing real-world vehicle emissions. It will work with an independent engineering firm that is set to commence on-road testing of Australian vehicles in early 2016.

The 18-month long research project undertaken by the AAA is necessary in light of the recent Dieselgate scandal, where millions of Volkswagen Group vehicles worldwide were revealed to be fitted with “defeat devices” that “cheat” emissions tests.

The AAA’s research will help contribute to the creation of a national emissions testing regime planned under the Federal Government’s Ministerial Forum on vehicle emissions.

In an official statement, AAA Chief Executive Michael Bradley said, “action must be taken to test the emissions claims made by vehicle manufacturers and as the leading consumer advocate for almost eight million Australian motorists, the AAA is willing to step up to the plate.”

He also mentioned that the AAA is concerned that the Australian Government currently has no capability to test, audit, or enforce elements of its current vehicle emissions regulatory regime.

“To accurately inform the Government’s deliberations on these matters, the AAA’s testing will be consistent with the Real Driving Emissions methods and protocols developed by the European Commission and will assess the emissions produced by popular vehicles on the Australian market, when driven on Australian roads, in Australian conditions.”

In Australia, Volkswagen announced on October 9, 2015 that it would recall more than 77,000 Volkswagen and Skoda cars. Audi, which is part of the VW Group, also confirmed that 14,000 Australian vehicles are affected by the Dieselgate scandal.

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

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